Dr Kieran Mullan MP has visited PGL Beyond’s Windmill Hill centre in East Sussex to see first-hand how outdoor learning and residential experiences are helping young people build confidence, resilience and aspiration.
During the visit, Kieran met with representatives from PGL Beyond and The Purpose Coalition to discuss the organisation’s work to widen access to formative experiences, particularly for young people from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.
The visit showcased how educational experiences beyond the classroom can support personal development, wellbeing and social mobility. Discussions also highlighted the importance of place-based delivery and the positive contribution organisations like PGL Beyond make to local communities.
PGL Beyond, the UK’s largest educational travel provider, reaches almost 500,000 young people each year, delivering around 290,000 outdoor activity sessions and 3,800 study tours annually. Its work is increasingly focused on helping young people develop the skills and self-belief needed to thrive in education, life and work.
Dr Mullan also discussed the organisation’s role as an employer, including its approach to accessible recruitment, skills development and creating opportunities for career progression.
The visit highlighted PGL Beyond’s commitment to widening access through initiatives such as the Breakthrough Fund, which has supported over 17,000 pupils with £2.2 million in funding—helping hundreds of schools and enabling free experiences for children and young people who might otherwise have missed out.
Speaking after the visit, Dr Kieran Mullan MP said:
It was a pleasure to visit PGL Beyond at Windmill Hill and to hear more about the organisation’s work. Opportunities beyond the classroom can have a lasting impact, particularly for young people who may otherwise miss out. It was also valuable to discuss how PGL Beyond supports social mobility not only through these experiences, but through its role as an employer—creating opportunities for skills development, progression and access to work.
Rhiannon Davies, General Manager of PGL Beyond Windmill Hill, said:
We were delighted to welcome Dr Kieran Mullan MP to Windmill Hill and to show him our work in practice. At PGL Beyond, we believe every young person should have access to experiences that help them grow in confidence, build resilience and broaden their horizons. It was a valuable opportunity to highlight how our work supports young people, schools and communities, and how we can also contribute to social mobility through the opportunities we create as an employer.